News

03May2019

Construction on new medical technology facility gets underway

Work has begun on a new hi-tech facility to develop innovative healthcare products and advanced materials.

A groundbreaking ceremony for Nottingham Trent University’s planned £23million Medical Technologies Innovation Facility (MTIF) was held today (May 3), at the university’s Clifton campus. The multi-disciplinary research and development facility will integrate work by scientists, engineers, clinicians and entrepreneurs; collaborating to develop products and materials.

The MTIF will eventually have two sites. A second at the Nottingham Enterprise Zone at Boots headquarters will be dedicated to product prototype production and commercialisation; with access to laboratories, clean rooms, technologies and expertise for processing, prototype development and preparing manufacturing processes.

A key aim of the MTIF is to improve patient care by speeding up medical product development, getting innovations to market as quickly as possible; which is critical for business survival, growth and profitability. The MTIF project will form strategic alliances with other organisations to ensure effective support for companies and researchers.

The overall MTIF project is being supported with up to £9.7million from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, via its Local Growth Fund allocation.

Works are due to be completed by summer 2020.

Professor Edward Peck, Vice-Chancellor of NTU, said: “I know that many people associate universities - and NTU in particular - with teaching the next generation who will play the major role in our continued prosperity. However, our contribution to the economic vibrancy of the city and county goes well beyond teaching, driving research and innovation that grow companies and create jobs. MTIF is a prime example of this contribution.”

Sajeeda Rose, Chief Executive of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, added: “Life Sciences is a key LEP sector, with the area hosting many bio and healthcare services businesses. I’m pleased to see the development of NTU’s planned Medical Technologies Innovation Facility reach this next stage.”

Funding from the D2N2 LEP for the MTIF Centre will come from the LEP’s Local Growth Fund (LGF) allocation, money awarded by the UK Government to enable D2N2 to part-fund major capital projects which directly help the area’s economy and create jobs. More on how D2N2 is using its LGF to boost its area’s infrastructure and economy at web link www.d2n2lep.org/Local-Growth-Fund